Hello, and welcome to our newsletter for September 2026.
The Water Directorate recently welcomed Jenna Hazelwood to the team as Senior Policy Advisor. Some of you may have already met and seen Jenna in action at the Local Government NSW Water Conference in Ballina last week.
We also launched the Regional Water Action Plan: Securing Our Water Supply at the Conference with LGNSW. The Action Plan sets out six priorities, including long-term infrastructure funding, stronger drinking water quality, reduced regulatory burdens, sustainable funding arrangements, and investment in collaboration and workforce development. The coming weeks will be critical for keeping the momentum going. We encourage all councils to customise the campaign templates available, with their local story, their local risks, the cost of their projects to their community.
We're looking forward to hosting our Annual Forum 'From Insights to Action: Digital Water in Practice' on Friday 30 October in Sydney, with Early Bird tickets only available until 11 September. Here's a link to the Program.
Regional Water Action Plan: Securing Our Water Supply
The Water Directorate will continue to work closely with LGNSW and our members to translate this advocacy into outcomes for regional communities. Resources that support this campaign AND can be tailored to reflect the situation in your councils and regions are availablefrom LGNSW Notice of Motion for councils; letter to the NSW Premier, and Minister for Water; and media release.
Photo (from L to R): MidCoast Council Mayor and Water Directorate Committee Executive Cr Claire Pontin; LGNSW President Mayor Darcy Byrne; Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Mayor of Ballina Shire; and Brendan Guiney (EO NSW Water Directorate).
This year's Program is designed to deliver practical insights you can put into action: what works, what’s next and how to apply it.
"Why are we here?" and "What are your top three risks?" Open and honest feedback flowed during the Local Water Utility Forum on Day 1 of the Local Government NSW Water Management Conference in Ballina last week, led by Executive Officer Brendan Guiney and Senior Policy Advisor Jenna Hazelwood.
Key messages from the discussion: Fit for purpose is better than perfect; Communities know what they want; We have the tools to help deliver it; and It's time to listen and tell our community's story.
The AWA NSW State Conference in Wollongong last month brought together water professionals from across NSW to explore key issues including governance, workforce capability, infrastructure investment and resilience. There was strong representation from local water utilities, with Water Directorate Executive Committee members Wayne Beatty (Orange City Council) and Graham Attenborough (Eurobodalla Shire Council) presenting on recycled water and major infrastructure projects. Executive Officer Brendan Guiney also participated in the opening Water Governance panel, contributing to discussions on local water utility reform and future service delivery. Other regional voices featured throughout the program, including Robert Scott (MidCoast Council) and Bradley Byrnes (Cabonne Council), who shared perspectives on affordability, resilience and investment in regional water services.
Call for Content: Ozwater'27
Australia’s premier water conference and exhibition is coming to Sydney in 2027, and the call for content is now open. Whether you have a case study, project, innovation or lessons learned to share, submissions are being accepted across a range of formats, including Extended Abstracts, Case Studies, Video Pitches, Workshops and Panels. Submissions close Friday 18 September 2026.
The Water Directorate is committed to working with members interested in submitting content for and/or attending Ozwater'27. Those valuable stories, projects and insights from across regional NSW deserve a national audience!
As the host of National Water Week from 19-25 October 2026, AWA encourages individuals, communities, schools and organisations to be inspired to promote the importance of water.
The Call for Papers is now open for the National Biosolids Conference 2027, taking place on 3-4 March 2027 at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins. Abstract submissions close Monday, 21 September 2026.
The Workforce Futures team will showcase its work supporting First Nations employment and workforce development at the AWA's Voices from the Bush Conference in Alice Springs from 16-17 September 2026.
LWU reform stakeholder group meetings have begun, as part of wider work with the Productivity and Equality Commission review and government response. Find out more via the website.
LWUs can submit their 2025-26 annual performance data through the LWU Reporting Portal until 2 October 2026.
The trade waste team will hold an online seminar on trade waste regulation on Wednesday 25 November from 9am-12.15pm. Register here.
WaterNSW's Raw Water Quality for Drinking Water Suppliers Policy
Following consultation with NSW Health and LWUs, and consideration of the feedback received, WaterNSW has now finalised and published the policy on their website.
During the September Water Engagement Roundup, the new Water Quality Data Framework will be unveiled. Discover the new Water Quality Data Framework and how it makes water quality information easier to access, understand and use. Through a live demonstration, see how data from multiple agencies has been brought together to support informed decision-making and greater public visibility.
Date: Wednesday, 16 September 2026 from 11am-12 pm.
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